Research - Positive Impact of Animal Support

1. Fuller-Lovins et al. (2023/2024)

The Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Mental Health Interventions for Youth: A Meta-Analysis of Controlled Studies

This is currently the strongest meta-analysis specifically examining equine-assisted interventions for youth mental health.

2. Hoagwood et al. (2017)

Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at Risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review

This is the landmark systematic review covering equine, canine, and other animal-assisted therapies for children and adolescents.

3. Pendry & Vandagriff (2019)

Animal Visitation Program (AVP) Reduces Cortisol Levels of University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

While this study involves college students rather than youth and uses dogs rather than horses, it is one of Dr. Patricia Pendry's strongest randomized trials demonstrating that interaction with animals can produce measurable reductions in physiological stress (cortisol). Her broader body of work also includes equine-facilitated learning and equine-assisted interventions.